Janie Update 12-16-09

Hey Everyone!

Thank you for all your prayers for my poor right lung.  They are working!  I had a follow-up x-ray on Monday and it is getting better.  The air pocket is smaller and for that we are very grateful.  That's the good news.

I have been having some pain in my right hip and after all the x-rays of last week they have finally determined that it is indeed another spot of cancer.  I was given two choices on how to handle it.  I could go on a pain patch to control the pain but it would have no effect on the cancer.  Or I could have radiation, which would hopefully kill the cancer in that spot and eliminate the pain.  That is risky because I have already been radiated twice in the pelvic area, both right and left hips.  If I chose radiation I could not have radiation in this area again. I knew right away that I didn't want to start on a pain patch.  That just seemed to doom and gloomy to me. So......

My right hip is once again tattooed, sharpie markered, and ready to go.  I start treatment tomorrow (Thursday) and will have a total of 10 [in a row...every weekday until December 31]. Both my oncologist and my radiologist think
this is a reasonable choice and really felt that there was no wrong way to decide.   Good thing the radiation techs (all female) and I are good friends by now because there's not much of me they haven't seen.  And this time won't be any different!  Ahh, the indignities of cancer treatment.  A small price to pay for being able to enjoy life!

We are excited to have Becca and Dan coming home on Friday.  It's hard to believe Christmas is already next week!  I was glad to come across this verse in my Bible reading today: If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92  I am so thankful for my Bible and the truth taught in it.  I find the simplest verses some of the hardest to put into practice.  Such as Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything..........which reminded me of something I read in the devotional Streams in the Desert:

Anxiety should never be found in a believer.  In spite of the magnitude, quantity, and diversity of our trials, afflictions, and difficulties, anxiety should not exist under any circumstances.  This is because we have a Father in heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His "one and only Son" and whose complete joy and delight it is to continually assist them under all circumstances.  We should heed His Word, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Thank you for all your continued, consistent praying for me and my family.  We are encouraged, comforted, and strengthened more than you will ever know!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Enjoy each moment!  Love, Janie